狭: the kanji for narrow
狭 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means narrow. Below are its readings, 5 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
狭 is written in 9 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
狭 has 4 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 5 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
キョウ (kyou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 狭量きょうりょう · kyōryō | narrow-minded |
| 偏狭へんきょう · henkyō | narrow-minded; intolerant |
せまい (semai)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 狭いせまい · semai | narrow; small |
せばめる (sebameru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 狭めるせばめる · sebameru | to narrow |
せばまる (sebamaru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 狭まるせばまる · sebamaru | to become narrow |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- この道は狭くて車がすれ違えない。Kono michi wa semakute kuruma ga surechigaenai.This road is too narrow for cars to pass each other.
- 部屋が狭いので家具を減らした。Heya ga semai node kagu o herashita.The room is small, so I reduced the furniture.
- 選択の幅を狭めないほうがいい。Sentaku no haba o sebamenai hō ga ii.It's better not to narrow your options.
- 二チームの差が狭まってきた。Ni chīmu no sa ga sebamatte kita.The gap between the two teams has been narrowing.
- 狭量な考えは捨てよう。Kyōryō na kangae wa suteyō.Let's discard narrow-minded ideas.
Questions about 狭
How many strokes does 狭 have?
狭 is written in 9 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 狭?
The on readings are kyou (キョウ). The kun readings are semai (せまい), sebameru (せばめる), sebamaru (せばまる).
What JLPT level is 狭?
N1. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N1 is designed to match the former Level 1.
More JLPT N1 kanji
Qualities and conditions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 狭
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.